Michigan State basketball led by as much as 12 points halfway through the first half against 1 seeded North Carolina on Saturday, as the Spartans looked for their first ever win against the Tar Heels in March Madness.
What seemed like another Tom Izzo masterclass, however, was quickly turned around, as North Carolina went on a 23-3 run to end the second half, never looking back.
The Spartans fell to North Carolina 85-69 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Saturday, moving to 0-6 all-time against the Tar Heels in the Big Dance.
Michigan State guard Tyson Walker scored 24 points on 9-of-16 shooting, while Malik Hall scored 17 and Jaden Akins added 11.
The Spartans had no answer for the Tar Heels’ big three of RJ Davis, Armando Bacot and Harrison Ingram, who scored 21, 18 and 17, respectively.
Here are the highlights from Michigan State’s season-ending loss to North Carolina on Saturday:
Michigan State vs. North Carolina live updates in NCAA second round
7:48 p.m.: Michigan State can’t get it done and moves to 0-6 all-time against North Carolina in the NCAA Tournament. Spartans lose 85-69.
7:44 p.m.: Tyson Walker’s layup cuts the deficit to 78-63 before Michigan State calls a timeout with under three minutes to go. Spartans going to need a miracle here.
7:34 p.m.: Things starting to fall apart for the Spartans. North Carolina leads 73-59 with four minutes to go.
7:28 p.m.: Spartans are in trouble, as North Carolina extends its lead to 69-57 after another 3-pointer from Harrison Ingram. Only 6:18 remains in the game.
7:27 p.m.: North Carolina’s Seth Trimble has his third block of the half, this time on Tyson Walker. Trimble is eating the Spartans alive in the paint right now.
7:23 p.m.: Michigan State trails 64-57 at the under-8 timeout. Spartans going to need to get it going here.
7:22 p.m.: What a move from Malik Hall, who dribbles between his legs before hitting the fadeaway jumpshot.
7:21 p.m.: Unlucky bounce for the Spartans, as RJ Davis hits a 3-pointer off the backboard.
7:19 p.m.: Malik Hall makes a pair of free throws, cutting Michigan State’s deficit to 57-53 with 10 minutes to go in the half. Could be a really fun finish in Charlotte.
7:15 p.m.: Michigan State has had a pair of layups blocked this half, both by North Carolina’s Seth Trimble. Spartans hoping those four points aren’t the difference.
7:11 p.m.: Xavier Booker hits a 3-pointer to pull Michigan State’s deficit to 55-51. Big men can shoot, too.
7:09 p.m.: Tyson Walker commits a turnover after stepping out of bounds while trying to drive the baseline. Spartans trail 53-46 now.
7:03 p.m.: Huge start to the half for Jaden Akins, who has hit two 3-pointers and is now headed to the free-throw line looking to convert a three-point play.
7:00 p.m.: Jaden Akins hits back-to-back 3-pointers. Michigan State needed that after North Carolina’s strong start to the second half.
6:59 p.m.: The second half is underway, and Michigan State can’t score on its first possession.
6:37 p.m.: Harrison Ingram hits another 3-pointer just before halftime to extend North Carolina’s lead to 40-31 at halftime. Tom Izzo going to need to plan some adjustments for Michigan State at the break, as UNC ends the half on a 23-3 run.
6:34 p.m.: Michigan State is leaving Elliot Cadeau wide open on 3-pointers and it has worked so far. Cadeau is 0-for-3 from 3-point range.
6:32 p.m.: Tyson Walker drives through the lane and draws a foul, hitting 1-of-2 free throws. Walker fell down hard on the play.
6:24 p.m.: Izzo calls a timeout as North Carolina extends its run to 15-0 on the 3-pointer by RJ Davis. Spartans need a jolt here.
6:23 p.m.: North Carolina takes a 29-28 lead late in the first half after a 12-0 run. Spartans have gone cold offensively.
6:21 p.m.: North Carolina is feeding Armando Bacot now, who gets the ball in the post and is fouled by Carson Cooper. Bacot headed to the free-throw line with a chance to take the lead.
6:20 p.m.: Michigan State’s lead is cut to one on the 3-pointer by Harrison Ingram. Tar Heels’ crowd is starting to come alive.
6:19 p.m.: Looks like North Carolina has a strong fan showing at the game. It makes sense, as Chapel Hill is around only a two-hour drive from Charlotte.
6:17 p.m.: Michigan State allows a 7-0 run out of the timeout after four consecutive points from Armando Bacot. Spartans still lead 28-24.
6:14 p.m.: North Carolina cuts the lead on a 3-pointer by Harrison Ingram, but Michigan State still leads 28-20 at the under-8 timeout. Tyson Walker leads all scorers with 11 points.
6:11 p.m.: North Carolina’s Elliot Cadeau absorbs contact from Tre Holloman and converts the and-one play. MSU still leads 26-17.
6:09 p.m.: Tyson Walker came to play. He hits back-to-back 3-pointers to give Michigan State a 26-14 lead with less than 10 minutes to go in the half. Walker is 4-for-4 shooting so far.
6:03 p.m.: There’s RJ Davis, who hits a transition 3-pointer to cut Michigan State’s lead to 17-12.
6:01 p.m.: Big 3-pointer from A.J. Hoggard, who hits the first 3-pointer for either team so far. Spartans lead 17-7 through eight minutes.
5:56 p.m.: Mady Sissoko hits a nice hook shot to give the Spartans a 10-5 lead. Michigan State with a nice start in Charlotte.
5:50 p.m.: Good start for Tyson Walker, who already has a pair of buckets. Michigan State leads North Carolina 6-4 after the first three minutes.
5:46 p.m.: Michigan State-UNC is underway, as the Tar Heels win the tip.
5:39 p.m.: Carson Cooper is rocking the mask again on Saturday. He suffered a nose injury in the Big Ten Tournament.
5:05 p.m.: Michigan State’s game has been pushed back to 5:45 p.m., according to CBS’ scoreboard.
5:02 p.m.: Michigan State rolling with the same starting lineup from the first round: A.J. Hoggard, Tyson Walker, Jaden Akins, Malik Hall, Carson Cooper.
What channel is Michigan State vs. North Carolina on today?
- TV channel: CBS
- Streaming: March Madness Live app, Fubo
Michigan State’s game against North Carolina will air live on CBS, with streaming options on the NCAA’s March Madness Live app and Fubo, which offers a free trial to potential subscribers.
Michigan State vs. North Carolina start time
- Time: 5:45 p.m. ET
- Location: Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina
Michigan State vs. North Carolina preview
- Michigan State: The Spartans snuck into the NCAA Tournament as a 9 seed after finishing the regular season with a 19-14 record. However, never count out the Spartans under veteran coach Tom Izzo, who usually gets his team to play its best ball in March. The Spartans are led by fifth-year senior guard Tyson Walker, who averaged 18.2 points per game this season.
- North Carolina: North Carolina has loads of NCAA Tournament experience and is led by national championship runners-up R.J. Davis and Armando Bacot. Davis, who’s averaging 21.4 points per game this season, leveled up his game as a senior, evolving into the ACC Player of the Year.
Michigan State-North Carolina betting odds
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Saturday, March 23.
- Spread: North Carolina (-3.5)
- Over/under: 142.5
- Moneyline: North Carolina -190 | Michigan State +155
Michigan State vs. North Carolina prediction, game picks
Much like they did against all the other upper echelon programs they’ve faced this season —Duke, Arizona, Purdue (twice) and Illinois — the Spartans stay right in the mix. But foul trouble down low allows Bacot to dominate in the paint late and sends the Tar Heels on to Los Angeles for next week’s Sweet 16. The pick: North Carolina 72, MSU 66.
Michigan State vs. North Carolina injury updates
- Michigan State: Jeremy Fears Jr. (out)
- North Carolina: None
Michigan State-North Carolina championship odds
Here are Michigan State and North Carolina’s championship odds, per BetMGM:
- Michigan State: +6000
- North Carolina: +1400
Michigan State basketball schedule 2024
Here are Michigan State’s last five results. Find the Spartans’ full 2023-24 schedule here.
- Thursday, March 21: Michigan State 69, Mississippi State 51
- Friday, March 15: Purdue 67, Michigan State 62
- Thursday, March 14: Michigan State 77, Minnesota 67
- Sunday, March 10: Indiana 65, Michigan State 54
- Wednesday, March 6: Michigan State 53, Northwestern 49
North Carolina basketball schedule 2024
Here are North Carolina’s last five results. Find the Tar Heels’ full 2023-24 schedule here:
- Thursday, March 21: North Carolina 90, Wagner 62
- Saturday, March 16: NC State 84, North Carolina 76
- Friday, March 15: North Carolina 72, Pittsburgh 65
- Thursday, March 14: North Carolina 92, Florida State 67
- Saturday, March 9: North Carolina 84, Duke 79
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